Gokhan Karakus (gokhan@superonline.net)
Mon, 15 Nov 1999 16:42:20 +0200
> ----------
> From: Manire, Aaron D[SMTP:amanire@indiana.edu]
> Sent: 15 Kasım 1999 Pazartesi 01:53
> To: acid-jazz@ucsd.edu
> Subject: from african info to the origins of marching bands
>
> From the discussion of drums, somebody on the list wondered about the
> origins of marching bands. I came across this quote during some
> provocative
> reading (see http://www.gyw.com/hakimbey/utoBlues.html).
>
> "For the musician the power of inspiration can be transmuted into the
> power
> of power. Consider for example the Turkish Janisseries, the Ottoman
> Imperial
> Guard, who all belonged to the heterodox (wine-drinking) Bektashi Sufi
> Order, and who invented military marching bands. Judging by European
> accounts of Janissery bands, which always speak of the sheer terror
> they
> induced, these musicians discovered a kind of psychological warfare
> which
> certainly bestowed prestige on this very ambiguous group, made up of
> slaves
> of the Sultan"
>
> Any musicologists to confirm this?
>
I'm not a musicologist but do know something about Ottoman history.
The Ottoman military bands, referred to as Mehter Takimi, were a long
standing part of the Turkish military tradition dating back to the early
Turkish and Mongol migrations from Central Asia westward. There were
similar functions found also in the Chinese and South Asian armies that
the Turks and Mongols fought agains throughout the centuries.
The Ottoman Janissaries were a special division of the Ottoman Army made
up of young boys who were collected from the various provinces under the
Ottoman control. These boys were brought to Istanbul and educated and
trained for many years as servants of the Ottoman state. To call them
"slaves" misses the point as often the income and accolades possible as
a member of the Janissary corps were far more then the sons of poor
peasants good hope for in their native lands. Of course, forced removal
from one's family is not the best thing but that was then.
The Janissary Corps, although became degraded in the 18th and 19th
century, were in the classical period of Ottoman history an important
fighting machine in the Ottoman military conquests. As part of this
group, the Mehter Takim was an important element for both instilling a
fanatic zeal in the Corps itself and for the fear it brought to the
enemy.
Mehter music is still played in today in Turkey. The Military Museum in
Istanbul has a once a week concert of Mehter music. If your ever in
Istanbul check it out. The Ottoman costumed contemporary Mehter Groups
are often found at special occassions.
The music is itself is highly percussive with a low, montone beat
punctuated by the high pierced wail of the reed instruments. Unlike
other marching bands there is also a strong vocal quality as the
drummers and standard bearers sing in harmony.
That's it for history class today.
GK
On my playlist,
Incredible Sound of Drum n Bass, Goldie, INCredible, Good wrap up of the
last two years of the music produced by Goldie and all his friends, J.
Majik, Optical, etc.
Presence, All Systems Gone, Pagan, Soft, rhythmic house with a techno
bent.
Supercool, Compilation of more Black Forest jazzy type shit from the MPS
label.
> Vivo Zumbi!
> A Dario
>
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